Cross-country athlete stays the course

Q: As a cross-country athlete who also runs track, your years at Kamiak have been shaped by running. And now you’re planning a run to give back to the community?

A: I’ve been involved in cross country and track the past four years. This year we’ve been working on the UKnight for Autism run. It’s a 3-mile fun run or walk at 9 a.m. April 20 here at Kamiak. Proceeds will go directly to All Aboard, which helps people with special needs. I’ve gotten to know a couple students in the Life Skills class here who will be going there next year.

Q: Do you have college plans?

A: I’ve signed a letter of intent to run cross country and track at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. I really liked the coach there.

Q: What is it you love about cross country?

A: I love the team aspect of it. No matter how good the No. 1 runner is, you’re only as good as the team. We won Wesco this year, and for the first time ever won districts.

Q: And you’re following in family footsteps?

A: My sister Shelly is a junior at Gonzaga. She runs cross country and track. She got into it as a freshman here. Being on the same team with her for one year when I started was really great. She was a senior, and all her friends knew me.

Q: Tell me about the rest of your family.

A: My mom, Eileen Davis, is a substitute teacher; I’ve had her in class. She used to teach in Snohomish. Even some of my friends call her Mom. My dad, Mitch Davis, is a manager with Stellar Industrial Supply.

Q: Do you have any spare time?

A: I run six days a week. On Sundays, I work at the Harbour Pointe QFC. I bag groceries.

Q: What have you learned from that job?

A: I’ve learned a lot about customer service. There are rules in bagging: Don’t put the chips underneath the watermelon. The worst part is getting the carts in the rain.

Q: What classes are you taking this year? Do you have a favorite?

A: Fourth-year Spanish, AP English, AP government, algebra 2 honors, leadership and yearbook. Leadership this year has been my favorite. We did a Hope Holiday fundraiser, and assigned classes to provide gifts for needy families. We had 76 families.

And we had a blood drive on Valentine’s Day. The Puget Sound Blood Center came, and 200 students and staff donated blood, and because of an age limit only juniors and seniors can donate.

Q: Do you have a favorite TV show?

A: I like to watch “SportsCenter” on ESPN. I played baseball, basketball and soccer when I was younger. I went to Mukilteo Elementary and Olympic View Middle School. My friends’ dads all coached.

Q: Have you made summer plans?

A: I’ll be working a lot, and training a lot for cross country and track. In July I’ll spend a week in Idaho for team bonding.

Q: Tell me more about the UKnight for Autism run.

A: This student in the Life Skills class — he’s really well liked at Kamiak — he drew three animals for us, for the T-shirt design. His hand-drawn animals, an elephant, a cheetah and a macaw, fit with the run motto, “Run, walk or fly your way to the finish.” The run is suited to all levels.

Q: Is it too soon to know your career goals?

A: I would like to go into education, be a coach, and maybe come back here.

Q: What will you miss most when you leave Kamiak?

A: I’ve really enjoyed all the teachers, especially my coaches (Charley) LeWarne and (Bill) Costello, we just call him “Coz.” They have really helped me in school.

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; muhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Fun run at Kamiak

A 3-mile charity run, UKnight for Autism, is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 20 at Kamiak High School, 10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo. Proceeds will benefit All Aboard, a local nonprofit organization providing activities for adults with special needs. Registration is $25 through April 6 (includes T-shirt), or $30 April 7 to 20 (no T-shirt). Register online at www.Active.com.